Rio de Janeiro kicks off the season with massive floating Christmas tree

The annual lighting ceremony for the extravagant tree kicked off on Nov. 30 atop the waters of the city's lagoon.

Standing at 85 meters, the over-the-top holiday display is the largest floating Christmas tree in the world, and is illuminated with 3 million lights.

* * *

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The floating tree tradition began in 1996, and now hundreds of people gather at the popular park and shallow lagoon to watch the elaborate lighting and fireworks display. This year's tree will create patterns resembling fish, dolphins and starfish, among other animals and will remain lit through Jan. 6, 2014.